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Sacramento Hunger Commission: Bylaws

Adopted: May 4, 1999
Revised: March 20, 2001

Revised: May 1, 2003

ARTICLE I
Name of Organization
The name of the organization is the Sacramento Hunger Commission, hereafter referred to as the "Hunger Commission."

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ARTICLE II
Legal Basis

The Hunger Commission was established by a vote of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors September 12, 1989 and by the City of Sacramento (City Manager Agreement No. 89158, dated December 1, 1989).

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ARTICLE III
Purpose

The Hunger Commission shall prioritize and implement the recommendations of the "Hunger Hits Home" Report and its updates. It will also engage in other activities to maximize access by all Sacramento residents to affordable and nutritious food.

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ARTICLE IV
Statement of Mission

The Hunger Commission believes that hunger can be prevented and is not acceptable in a just society that values the dignity and worth of every individual. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the Hunger Commission is to eliminate hunger.

To do so, the Commission addresses root causes of hunger and food insecurity and creatively pursues positive improvements by:

• Education -- Serving as the area's primary information source about hunger and opportunities for the community to eliminate it
• Advocacy -- Effectively advocating for improved food security
• Coordination -- Coordinating community resources to enhance community food security and increase opportunities and education for people to become self-sufficient
  

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ARTICLE V
Membership

a. Number
The Hunger Commission will be structured to consist of 16-27 voting members representing the Sacramento region's food providers, relevant community-based organizations, business, media and community members.

b. Member Guidelines: Representatives to the Commission will be selected from the following categories, and must either be a resident or work in the Sacramento region. Guidelines for each category are as listed below, with the total to be determined yearly by the Nominating Committee:

• Food Providers: A minimum of five representatives from food closets, congregate meal programs, senior and child nutrition programs and food banks.
• Government Representatives: A minimum of two government representatives
• Community Representatives: A minimum of seven representatives from the faith community, advocacy groups, community members, neighborhood services, community based organizations and members of the Community Services Planning Council Board.
• Business Community/Media: A minimum of two representatives from local businesses and media.

c. Terms: Members will serve for a one-year, renewable term, and will reapply each year for the upcoming term. Terms will run from January 1 to December 31. Members can serve for a maximum of five consecutive years and then must rotate off the Commission for a year before reapplying.

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ARTICLE VI
Officers

The officers of the Hunger Commission shall be a Chair and two Vice-Chairs, to be elected yearly by the voting members at the annual retreat. Responsibilities of the officers are as follows:

Chair:

• Conduct all meetings of the Hunger Commission
• Act as a spokesperson for the Hunger Commission
• Appoint a Nominating Committee near the beginning of each year
• Appoint ad-hoc committees as necessary

Vice-Chairs:

• Conduct meetings or act as spokesperson in the absence of the Chair
• Fulfill unexpired term of Chair should a vacancy occur
  

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ARTICLE VII
Duties and Responsibilities of Hunger Commission Members

a. Individual Member Responsibilities

• Attend all meetings of the Hunger Commission, or be represented be a designated alternate
• Make motions and cast votes related to the planning, policy and program development and function of the Hunger Commission
  
• Members are encouraged to serve on at least one committee; they are expected to attend all meetings of committees to which they have accepted appointment, or be represented by a designated alternate
• Discuss and critically evaluate hunger issues
• Take action on behalf of the Hunger Commission as appropriate
• Assist in raising public awareness local hunger issues, anti-hunger efforts and the Hunger Commission's work, and encouraging public participation in the effort to end hunger
  

b. Hunger Commission Responsibilities

• Serve as an advisory body to the City and County of Sacramento on issues related to hunger and community food security
• Define and/or revise the by-laws of the Hunger Commission as necessary
• Determine the Hunger Commission's priorities and annual work plan, based upon the overall needs of the community, and evaluate success in fulfilling the work plan objectives
  

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ARTICLE VIII
Vacancies

a. A vacancy may exist when a member:

• Resigns
• Has two consecutive unexcused absences
• Attends fewer than 70% of the meetings
• Is determined by the Executive Committee to be no longer able to act as a collaborative member of the Hunger Commission
• Completes five consecutive one-year appointments

b. In the event that a Hunger Commission member has two consecutive unexcused absences or attends fewer than 70% of the meetings, the Chair or Executive Committee will contact the member and then decide if there are extenuating circumstances or if the position will be considered vacant.

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ARTICLE IX
Recruitment and Appointment of Members

A Nominating Committee, consisting of no more than five voting members, will be
appointed yearly by the chair to recruit and select a balanced spectrum of no more than 27 representatives following the member guidelines (Art. V). The members selected shall, to the extent possible, collectively represent the diversity of the Sacramento region.

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ARTICLE X
Committees

a. No committee shall have the power to bind the Hunger Commission.

b. The Executive Committee consists of the past Chair, current Chair, two Vice-Chairs, and at least one member-at-large selected by the Officers. The Executive Committee shall meet on a bimonthly basis, or as needed. It will advise staff on strategic or urgent issues, bylaws revision, and other items as determined by the Chair, other Executive Committee members, or Hunger Commission staff, and bring recommendations to the full Commission for a vote.

c. A Nominating Committee, consisting of no more than five voting members, will be selected yearly by the chair. The committee will recruit and select a balanced spectrum of no more than 27 representatives following the member guidelines.

d. Ad hoc committees will be appointed by the chair.

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ARTICLE XI
Annual Retreat

The first meeting of the each new term of the Hunger Commission shall consist of a retreat. During this retreat, members will receive training and orientation. Members will also elect a Chair and two Vice-Chairs.

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ARTICLE XII
Quorum

A quorum, consisting of one more than one-half of the members, is required for the Hunger Commission to take action.

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ARTICLE XIII
Voting

a. Each voting member shall be entitled to one vote.

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ARTICLE XIV
Alternates

a. Each member may designate one alternate in advance to Hunger Commission staff to attend in the member's absence.

b. Alternates are encouraged, but not required, to attend all meetings.

c. Alternates are authorized to vote for the Hunger Commission member they represent.

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ARTICLE XV
Procedures

Robert's Rules of Order will be the authority for all questions and procedures at any Hunger Commission meeting.

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ARTICLE XVI
Amendment of By-Laws

These by-laws may only be amended upon a majority vote of Hunger Commission members.

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